FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Governor Ron DeSantis is calling for greater accountability in Broward County’s local government, urging state officials to conduct a comprehensive audit after concerns over mismanagement and questionable fiscal practices.
An introductory press conference was held on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale after DeSantis appointed state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia to be Florida’s new Chief Financial Officer and on his first day in office, Ingoglia made it clear that one of his top priorities is to audit local government with Broward County being at the top of that list.
“Broward County, unfortunately, is probably in my mind one of the worst offenders when it comes to spending,” said Ingoglia.
One of the main criticisms is the recent property tax increases that have been happening in the county.
“Why is the tax going up almost 50% while the population is going up less than 5%?” questioned DeSantis.
“That’s a lot of money and we have starting asking ourselves, and quite frankly we have to start asking local governments, where are you spending this money? And then let people know what they’re spending the money on and let people make the decision if this is worthwhile,” said Ingoglia.
Those answers could come quickly since Ingoglia announced the fiscal review in Broward is expected to happen next week.
In a letter to the county’s mayor, the CFO wrote: “…we hereby request access to your county’s physical premises, data systems, and responsive personnel… on July 31, 2025 and August 1, 2025 at the County Government Center and such other locations that you identify as necessary to comply with these requests.”
But county commissioners are pushing back against the governor’s claims. Steven Geller said when it comes to higher property taxes, DeSantis left out a key component: inflation.
“If you factor in inflation and population growth, it’s been 32.9% increase over the four years they asked us to look at,” he said.
State officials are also critical of money Broward spent to participate in a recent parade.
“I think it was $800,000 for the Rose Bowl. They did a float in the Rose Bowl,” said DeSantis.
“Eight-hundred thousand dollars on a rose bowl parade? Probably not the best of taxpayer money,” said Ingoglia.
But Geller said the county’s involvement was an advertisement and was paid for with tourism money.
“That was paid for by Convention and Visitor’s Bureau,” he said.
While Broward is the first one to get DOGE from the state, a reference to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency efforts in the federal government, they won’t be the last as DeSantis insists all counties statewide will face the same treatment.
“We are announcing today Broward County and then we have another announcement later today in Gainesville, but you are going to see a cadence of these put out very quickly over the next couple of weeks, so it’s not just going to be in one part of the state. It’s going to be across the board,” said DeSantis.
The CFO said new laws passed by the Florida legislature give them enough power to go through county financial reports.
“If a county, municipality, any government entity is putting in an appropriation request because they want more money and we approve then through Florida DOGE efforts through the audits of the CFO office, that they are wasting the money that they have right now, they shouldn’t be allowed to ask for any more money,” said Ingoglia.
“We have the authority. This is no longer optional. We don’t have to ask, ‘Mother, may I?’ We can just say, ‘You must comply under the law,'” said DeSantis.
Geller said the county will follow the law.
“I don’t welcome it. Do you welcome a colonoscopy? But in Broward County, we follow the law,” he said.
Responding to the governor’s comments, Broward County released a statement which read:
Broward County is aware and welcoming of the State of Florida’s announced onsite visit to Broward County. The County has been compliant and responsive to previous requests from the State’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Broward County prides itself on efficiency, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. The County remains confident in the strength of its financial stewardship, as reflected in its AAA General Obligation bond rating, healthy reserves for emergencies, zero ($0) General Obligation debt per capita, total flat millage rate since lowering the total millage rate for Fiscal Year 2017, and commitment to transparent budgeting.
It is important to note that the Countywide Total Budget includes generally funded County agencies, constitutional offices, and non-generally funded major economic engines and enterprise funded activities such as Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Port Everglades, Water and Wastewater Services, Solid Waste, and the Convention Center and Visitors Bureau (Visit Lauderdale). Additionally, in 2018, Broward County voters approved a 30-year 1% Transportation Surtax which is also accounted for in the Countywide Total Budget.
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